Phone is Banned, Son. In Oregon Schools.

In a move that’s got every parent, teacher, and teenager’s group chat buzzing, Governor Tina Kotek has issued Executive Order 25-09 banning cellphones in Oregon K–12 classrooms. By October 31, 2025, all 197 school districts must adopt “bell‑to‑bell” policies prohibiting students from using personal electronic devices during class. Full implementation is expected by January 1, 2026.

This executive order fills the void left by the failed bipartisan HB 2251, which had passed the House but stalled in the Senate earlier this session. Kotek and Rep. Lisa Reynolds argue this is a mental-health win—less distraction, less bullying, and more focus in class. The order even includes exceptions: students with IEPs or medical needs can use their devices appropriately.

Rusty school boards and administrators aren’t exactly cheering. Some voiced concerns over the cost of enforcement tools—like pricey Yondr pouches—and worry about local control. Others, like one teacher quoted in KATU, lament that if “parents aren’t willing to uniformly agree… it makes teachers’ jobs difficult”  . Parents, too, remain divided: many fear losing communication access during emergencies.

Oregon now joins at least 27 states with statewide K–12 cellphone restrictions. The state will offer model policies and technical assistance, though no extra funding has been provided. Still, proponents say streamlined phone-free zones could bolster classroom safety, learning, and well-being.

All told, the ban is a bold push toward distraction-free education—but it lands in the middle of a heated debate about enforcement costs, parental rights, and the power of local school boards.